Abstract

Background

Pectins are diverse and very complex biomolecules and their structure depends on the
plant species and tissue. It was previously shown that derivatives of pectic polymers
and oligosaccharides from pectins have positive effects on human health. To obtain
specific pectic oligosaccharides, highly defined enzymatic mixes are required. Filamentous
fungi are specialized in plant cell wall degradation and some produce a broad range
of pectinases. They may therefore shed light on the enzyme mixes needed for partial
hydrolysis.

Results

The growth profiles of 12 fungi on four pectins and four structural elements of pectins
show that the presence/absence of pectinolytic genes in the fungal genome clearly
correlates with their ability to degrade pectins. However, this correlation is less
clear when we zoom in to the pectic structural elements.

Conclusions

This study highlights the complexity of the mechanisms involved in fungal degradation
of complex carbon sources such as pectins. Mining genomes and comparative genomics
are promising first steps towards the production of specific pectinolytic fractions.